Lowercase letter · 19 of 26
Lowercase bubble letter s
Small bubble s is two short curves turning opposite ways, packed into the height of an x, so its bends close faster than the capital’s.
- The font
- Modak. Round, puffed up. Free to use, from the catalogue.
- Step by step
- 1Sketch an s as tall as an x, its top curve a little narrower.
- 2Thicken the line evenly, capping both tips with half circles.
- 3Keep both bends open: on a small s there is very little white to spare.
- 4Darken the lower edge of each curve and add a glint near the top end.
- Watch for
- A small s with ends curled in shuts into an 8, and one squeezed narrow fills in at the middle. Draw it wide and let the ends stay short.
- Mixed up with
With its ends closed a bubble s becomes an 8, and drawn with sharp turns it reads as a z.
- Practise with
- sun · star · smile · sweet
01 / In other fonts
s in 4 more fonts
Coiny draws the widest s for its height and Modak the narrowest.
02 / To colour in
A page to colour
On US Letter the sheet prints the s 97 mm tall and 87 mm wide, 3.8 by 3.4 inches, with about 68 cm² to colour; on A4, 105 by 94 mm. The alphabet sheets print A to Z or your own name.
One page: the s big and hollow in Modak to colour in, and the same s in the other fonts under it. Crayons, markers or paint; or trace it.
In the print dialog choose Save as PDF to keep a file. The sheet fills one page of US Letter at full size.
Preview · 1 page · Modak
03 / Questions
Bubble s, answered
A 3D bubble letter is its outline drawn twice, the copy a little down and to the right, the corners joined.
Where does the depth go on a 3D bubble s?
A small s needs depth only beneath its upper curve and outside its lower one.
Does a small bubble s need lighter strokes than the capital?
Yes. At the stroke of a capital the small s clogs at both turns; drawn a touch lighter, it keeps its white.
How do you colour a bubble s?
Colour it in one sweep from tip to tip if you can.